How to Create a Perfect Home Cinema
If you have a spare bedroom at home which you’re looking to find a use for, a personal home cinema could be an incredible addition. Whether it’s a bachelor pad, family home or a house share, film lovers can impress guests by creating an impressive sanctuary worthy of the planet’s biggest blockbusters.
A home cinema can be as lavish or cosy as you want – most people don’t have the space for twenty seats, but a few beanbags will do! The interior design team at Empatika share their top tips below for creating the perfect home cinema.
Where do I start?
First of all, before you even start thinking about the size of the TV or the volume of the sound bar, you need to decide on the style of the home cinema. The interiors need to match and follow the same theme throughout the room, so it’s important to establish this from the offset. Do you want it to be modern and minimalist? Or would you prefer a more traditional, elaborate décor which resembles a conventional theatre? Will your home cinema always be used as a theatre or will it have a dual purpose; will you want to move the furniture and practice yoga at some point? These are all questions to consider before you begin designing your home cinema room. If you are lacking in inspiration, we suggest checking out Pinterest or Houzz for some fabulous, on-trend ideas.
Technicalities
As an entertainment room, it’s vital you get everything right when it comes to the equipment. Decide on a suitable sized TV or even a projector which can project films onto a white wall – this looks great in industrial spaces or minimalist homes. You don’t have to choose a humongous screen for effect – make sure it is in proportion to the room, and where you will be seated. Ideally the seating should be a safe viewing distance away from any screens so you are not sat too close, or looking up at the film; this will cause neck and shoulder pain.
Once you’ve decided on the screen, it’s time to move on to the next vital element of the home cinema experience – the sound. Nothing makes it feel like a real cinema than surround sound! Professional sound bars, subwoofers and any other equipment make all the difference, taking the room from a normal lounge TV viewing to an awesome cinematic experience. However, we must stress – surround sound is NOT a must, and won’t work if the space is too small. You need to consider the recommended distance the speakers should be placed from each other, and there may be some wiring involved. It can be too much trouble than it’s worth, so a wireless solution might work best, or a sound bar with just one speaker at the front, or teamed up with a wireless subwoofer, so look at all your options before deciding on your sound option – don’t forget that many sound bars these days go pretty loud, and your neighbours probably won’t appreciate the deep rumbling bass of the subwoofer sound either.
Furniture
The next thing to consider in your home cinema is the furniture which will support all your technology. Many people find wires, excessive boxes/remotes/speakers/games consoles/extension leads unsightly so a media unit is the perfect option. Fitted furniture designers can work with you to suggest the best option for the shape and size of your room. Whether you want draws and cabinets to hide away all the wires, or shelving around the room to accommodate all the DVDs, built-in furniture is a smart addition to any home cinema, and can make it stylish and functional simultaneously.
Designing a home cinema doesn’t have to be complicated, and it also doesn’t have to cost the earth. But making sure you make quality investments to stand the test of time will ensure you have a home cinema worth spending time in.
